AKP Phnom Penh, July 27, 2025 -- The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia this afternoon expressed its strongest condemnation of the continued and intensified shelling of Preah Vihear Temple by the armed forces of the Kingdom of Thailand on July 27, 2025.

“These renewed acts of aggression have placed the temple in grave and unprecedented danger. Significant portions of the structure and its surrounding sacred landscape have been severely damaged or destroyed,” the Ministry stated.  

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it continued, Preah Vihear Temple stands as a symbol of Cambodia's national identity, historical continuity, and spiritual heritage. These attacks not only violate Cambodia's sovereignty but also endanger the shared cultural heritage of humanity.

According to the Ministry’s statement, this deliberate targeting of a world-renowned cultural and religious monument constitutes a blatant violation of international law, including:

- The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict;
- The 1999 Second Protocol to the Hague Convention;
- The 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention;
- The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, under which the intentional destruction of cultural heritage may constitute a war crime;
- The responsibilities of Thailand as a State Party to the International Coordinating Committee for the Conservation and Enhancement of the Temple of Preah Vihear, as established by UNESCO Decision 2014.

The Ministry urgently called upon the Kingdom of Thailand to:

- Immediately cease all military operations targeting Preah Vihear Temple and its protected zones;
- Fully comply with its international legal obligations under the aforementioned conventions and agreements.

The Ministry also appealed to the international community, including UNESCO, the United Nations, and all cultural and human rights organisations, to:

- Call upon the Thai government and military to cease fire, end hostilities, and respect Cambodia's sovereignty;
- Publicly condemn Thailand's continued aggression against cultural heritage;
- Take immediate diplomatic and legal actions to hold those responsible accountable;
- Deploy international observers to assess the extent of the damage and help protect the site.

“The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts will continue to document all acts of destruction and pursue legal avenues at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other relevant international bodies to seek justice and reparations,” read the statement. “The Kingdom of Cambodia remains steadfast in its commitment to defending its cultural heritage and upholding the principles of peace, justice, and international law.”

By C. Nika